Updated on 10/24 with an interview with Director Marc Donahue. Marc Donahue is an independent film maker who has become well known for his innovative work with stop-motion and time-lapse video. In his most recent video, he joined producer Roth Rind and dove into a subject… Read More »Videopolis: Imagination time-lapse video

Recently The Disney Blog sent special reporter Joe Webb down to the Walt Disney Family Museum to cover the opening of a special exhibition entitled “Between Frames: The Magic Behind Stop Motion Animation”. The WDFM has also announced details for a new special exhibit “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic” which we have below the jump. But first Joe’s report:

Just down the road from the revolutionary Industrial Light & Magic, an effects house using the latest in computer animation technology, the Walt Disney Family Museum is presenting an exhibition dedicated to a different type of animation technology more than 100 years old. Between Frames: The Magic Behind Stop Motion Animation (on display from September 27, 2012 to April 28, 2013) explores the history and evolution of stop motion animation in the United States as “part of a new exhibition program showcasing artists and art forms that inspired and influenced Walt Disney and his animators,” WDFM CEO Gabriella Calicchio said.

For animation fans, learning the history of stop motion is a worthwhile endeavor. Exhibition curator Anel Muller states, “I’m very excited about this exhibition, obviously… One of the most interesting things I uncovered is the people behind stop motion animation.” People like Ray Harryhausen, Phil Tippett, Henry Selick and Tim Burton who helped bring this art form to new generations of moviegoers and Saturday morning television viewers. Muller obtained numerous drawings, models, puppets, interactive armatures and replicas used in various films, television shows and commercials including Gumby, King Kong, Star Wars, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Visitors will see everything from a replica of King Kong from the 1930s to models of Coraline and Robot Chicken from the first decade of 21st century.

One of the main goals at the Walt Disney Family Museum is inspiration through education. While one may not immediately connect stop motion with Walt Disney himself, the Museum notes that Walt began his animation career in Kansas City using this type of animation for advertisements. The galleries exist to educate visitors on Walt Disney’s history and accomplishments which will hopefully inspire them to follow their own passion. This goal is not lost on Muller. “I hope that when visitors leave this exhibit that they feel a surge of inspiration, that they will find creativity in their own lives,” she said.

Note: Whit has already posted his review of Frankenweenie. We both saw the same film, but somehow, I came out a bit less enthused. Here’s my review: Tim Burton’s latest film is a stop motion tribute to the black and white sci-fi and horror classics… Read More »Frankenweenie – My Review

In the great tradition of other Tim Burton stop-motion animation films Frankenweenie will take over your local cinema starting Oct 5th. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I expect this film to be very popular right through the holiday season.

A new featurette takes us behind the movie, introduces the story, the main voice actors, and talks with key figures in the production.

It’s great to have Tim Burton back in the Disney fold, isn’t it. Follow us below the jump for some fun facts from Frankenweenie:

Horror legend Vincent Price may have shuffled off this mortal coil, but his spirit lives on in the work of Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. A character crafted in Price’s honor is the substitute science teacher Mr. Ryzkruski who galvanizes class with a presentation on the power… Read More »Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie Reanimates Vincent Price